Monday, 15 May 2017

India's first electric radio cabs fleet is coming to Nagpur

India's first electric radio cabs fleet(वेगवान) is coming to Nagpur

Not only does May 26 mark the competition of three-years of the Narendra Modi government, it also brings in India's first electric radio cabs. And the first city to get the electric radio cabs is none other than the hometown of Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping. With India's pledge to go all electric by 2030, Nagpur will be the first city in the country to adopt(गोद लेना) electric cabs as the country moves a step closer to its goal.

The pilot (प्राथमिक) project will see around 200 e-cabs in Nagpur with the local body to provide for the charging stations across the city. While the trial runs are ongoing for the grand event, there are some technical glitches. While the taxi permit rules specify that the taxis should have cubic capacity to be listed as a cab, the electric vehicles do not fall under the same category as other CNG-fitted cabs and could be a major issue for the initiative(पहल).

The central government is working on ways to make amendments to this rules, so that the electric radio cabs are able to function without disrupting(खलल न डालें) the current laws.

To promote the usage of electric and hybrid cars in the country, the government of India had passed the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) India scheme in 2015. Under the FAME India scheme, around 99,000 hybrid/electric vehicles (xEVs) are currently given direct support by way of incentives since the launch on April 1, 2015. The Department has also approved pilot projects, charging infrastructure projects and technological development projects aggregating(संयुक्त करना) to nearly Rs 155 crore.

This move will surely promote the usage of electric and hybrid vehicles in India as the country is moving towards its goal of going all electric by 2030. However, considering the cost of maintaining an electric vehicle and the infrastructure not being readily available in the country, it could be a major inconvenience for people who would want to buy electric vehicles.

Currently, Mahindra and Honda are few of the car-manufacturers who have electric and hybrid vehicles in their line-up. We do hope that the situation changes, as hybrid and electric vehicles will help in the growing pollution in India. Countries such as France, Netherland and Belgium have already started to adopt electric and hybrid vehicles.